DETROIT -- U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige today announced that Michigan has completed its plan for a strong state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. Education Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs Scott Jenkins made the announcement on behalf of Secretary Paige during a visit to Detroit, where he was joined by Thomas D. Watkins, Michigan superintendent of public instruction, and Jeremy M. Hughes, Michigan's chief academic officer and deputy superintendent of public instruction.

"Michigan has worked hard to align its state assessment system with the accountability requirements of No Child Left Behind," Paige said. "I applaud Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Watkins and his team for their efforts to ensure every child in Michigan has access to a high-quality education and that no child is left behind."

"I'm honored to be representing Secretary Paige here in my home state to deliver the good news about Michigan's accountability plan," Jenkins said at the event.

Under NCLB's strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including disadvantaged students, achieve academic proficiency. In addition, they must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform parents and communities about state and school progress. Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance, take corrective actions and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, must make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

Michigan is the 35th accountability plan to gain approval. Other plans to be approved include Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students based on what works.

Foremost among the four key principles is an insistence on stronger accountability for results. To achieve that, states must develop strong accountability systems or improve those already in place, establish high standards and hold all children to the same standards. They also must provide instruction by highly qualified teachers, which results in steady progress. All students must be proficient by the 2013-14 school year.

All states submitted draft accountability plans to the U.S. Department of Education by the Jan. 31 deadline. Following an initial review and technical assistance, if needed, the next step was on-site peer review of each state's proposed accountability plan. Teams of three peer reviewers--independent, nonfederal education policy, reform or statistical experts--conducted each peer review. Following a review of the team's consensus report, the Department provided feedback to the state and worked to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, Paige approved the state plan, as he did for Michigan.

Despite all the priorities competing for our tax dollars, President Bush's budget boosts federal education funding to $53.1 billion--a $10.9 billion increase since the president took office. Michigan alone will receive more than $1.5 billion, including $669 million to implement NCLB. If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for Michigan will have gone up $245 million since President Bush took office.

Michigan's plan will be posted online in the coming days at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/CFP/csas/index.html.

For more information about the No Child Left Behind Act, go to www.nochildleftbehind.gov.

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